What’s fuelling the surge of violence in Democratic Republic of Congo?
Global News
The latest fighting is part of a major escalation of a conflict over power, identity and resources dating back to the 1990s Rwandan genocide.
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who in late January captured Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo, have since been advancing towards the second-biggest city in the area, Bukavu.
The latest fighting is part of a major escalation of a conflict over power, identity and resources dating back to the 1990s Rwandan genocide and the fall of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in the country then known as Zaire.
In its latest conflagration, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed since 2012 and more than a million are now displaced.
After taking Goma, the rebels pressed south towards Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province. On Friday they were in control of the strategic Kavumu airport that serves Bukavu.
The insurgents have been intent on showing they can restore order and govern in Goma.
There have been more chaotic scenes and reports of looting and rape near the front line as M23 confronts the Congolese army and its allies including Burundian troops.
The U.N. refugee agency voiced concern on Friday at the “rapidly deteriorating” situation, saying the war had left around 350,000 displaced people with no roof over their heads.
The involvement of Burundian and Rwandan troops on the ground has added to fears the fighting could spiral into a regional conflict akin to two devastating wars in the region between 1996 and 2003 that cost millions of lives.
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The latest fighting is part of a major escalation of a conflict over power, identity and resources dating back to the 1990s Rwandan genocide.
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